featured blog posts

The rise of data has created huge disruption for businesses in all kinds of sectors. Let's take the lead from influencers in sport as the evidence that smart use of data can deliver true competitive advantage.

On Saturday 21 March 2015 Twickenham Stadium experienced one of the most dramatic, intense and enthralling games of them all, from the opening minute to the final seconds it enraptured us and the drama was played out in an atmosphere beyond anything that I have ever experienced on home soil.

In the early stages of this week they'll be some sore English bodies and pensive players however their hearts and minds will be in a much better place than they were this time two weeks ago knowing that they have laid the foundations for one final, winner takes all, Six Nations' showdown.

In the run up to the Rugby World Cup, I'd like to know what's in store for the future of rugby union. Is it going to be dominated by strong defences? Is the path of a game going to be dictated by the number of penalties awarded, by packs of rolling malls and choke tackles?
Personally, I hope not, because it will destroy the very heart and soul of the game, a sport which will become used and worn out and shelved into the annals of history like boxing.

Hearts across the country predicted an English win by 3, based on the character they showed on the road in Cardiff and the flair showcased in both of the opening fixtures it delivered high hopes of a fourth consecutive victory over Ireland. However after eighty minutes of rugby, those hopes were dashed, England were beaten and they were beaten well by an steely Irish side.

Strength is depth, it is a phrase that we have been itching to be able to use to describe England Rugby for a long time and if I'm brutally honest the words never quite fitted perfectly, instead England had depth but only in pockets, in one or two positions.

The challenge that England face playing against Italy at Twickenham is completely different to Friday night's for the intensity of the rivalry between the two nations is less and the quality of the opposition is less...

Now is the time for England to march on from their developmental stage and deliver, these were the overarching messages from the men in charge at the first squad announcement of the year just 14 days ago. In last year's RBS 6 Nations England matured greatly and to be true contenders come September that is what they will need to do again this year.

Certain players while have a huge influence on their team in the next ten months and so over the next two weeks we'll be looking at couple of players from each team who could play an important part in the success or lack thereof of their nation in what will be a key Six Nations for all involved...

Tonight in Cork a group of players wearing white with red roses on their chests will run out and take on the might of Ireland, they are our England Saxons and what a group they are too. 'It is the strongest Saxons' squad that I have been involved with' those were the words of Stuart Lancaster..

Sam Burgess is now attempting to make the move to rugby union. Why? Not for money, he was incredibly successful in Australia as a league star. So not for fame, but for international glory. To really gain superstar status Sam Burgess knew he had to test himself in rugby union.